Skills we acquired during holiday

1. Oluwabukunmi Falana, 13 yrs old, SSS 2, Valencia College, Ibadan

During holidays, I went to Christian camps; travelled and mostly stayed at home doing chores, playing games, and sometimes attend summer coaching. My parents allowed me to learn a skill organised by ‘Teenage Entrepreneurship & Empowerment Initiative,’ with a high expectation that I would return home with additional skill. I acquired skills in baking and leather works. Both skills have such thing as calculation, measurement, use of protective clothes, etc. By the time we resumed, I was no longer able to practice because I stay in the hostel. But, as soon as we have another break, I would make a bag, a purse, belt, hand band and any other leather work. I can make and sell in the hostel for money when we resume.  I shall advertise my leather works and catering.

2. Precious Omotunrabi, 15 yrs old, SSS 3, St. Annes School, Molete, Ibadan

During holidays, I usually stay at home with my siblings.  I am very happy to have had an opportunity of adding value to myself as a girl through the skill acquisition programme. I learnt how to apply make up. I like to beautify people’s faces. I would work on this skill more and be creative about it.

3. Temilola Olubodun, 15 yrs old, SSS 3, St. Annes School, Molete, Ibadan

I started to plait hair since age six without undergoing any training and I started making money using the skill at age twelve. Through vocational training, I learnt how to make wig. My mum has been supportive; she purchased some of the materials that I would need to begin my own business. I plan to advertise what I do on social media and through one-on-one contact. My appreciation goes to the organisers of the programme; I pray that God will bless the works of their hands.

4. Saidat Alapinni, 15 yrs old, SSS 3, St. Annes School, Molete, Ibadan

I desired to become a dancer, so I was very glad when the opportunity opened for me. When I told my parents that I would like to attend a training that my friend told me about, my mum frowned at first until I explained that it was a skill acquisition programme. I seized the opportunity to pursue my dream in creative dance for free. I appreciate dancers because it is not an easy job; the training was stressful let alone the actual performance. I will teach whoever is interested. The organiser of the vocation training made my dream come through. I now have something to engage me after my passing out of secondary school while waiting for my admission into higher institution.

5. Oyindamola Taiwo, 15 yrs old, SSS 3, St. Annes School, Molete, Ibadan

I will forever remain grateful to the organiser of ‘Acquire a skill Ibadan’ because he has given us a platform to operate. My parents admonished me to focus on the training. In future, I would like to meet needs of the people as well.

6. Blessing John, 17 yrs old, SSS 3, St. Annes School, Molete, Ibadan

I got to know about “Adopt a skill Ibadan,” organised by Teenage Entrepreneurship and Empowerment Initiative through my class teacher. I have interest in learning how to tie gele. Now, I can tie infinity pleats , fan, casual, bling/rose and side rows types of gele. My gratitude goes to the organisers of these training.

7. Mojisola Akinyemi, 16 yrs old, SSS 3, St. Annes School, Molete, Ibadan

I usually stay at home during holidays but Teenage Entrepreneurship & Empowerment Initiative made the last holiday a different one for me. I was able to add value to myself by acquiring knowledge of paper craft such as bridal flower (bouquet), wall decorations made from special papers such as ‘sugar’ paper, etc. I was baffled when my tutor started making various wall flowers with paper. My parents, particularly my father was very glad about the skills that I required.

8. Oloruntishefunmi Abiola, 13 yrs old, SSS 3, St. Annes School, Molete, Ibadan

I developed the passion for a lot of things during holidays such as reading, traveling, writing songs, scripts and I make fabric designs. With the initial passion, I decided to get trained so as to put my creative ability into use. My mum really encouraged me by saying sooner or later it would serve as a source of income for me. I saw the programme as God-sent for young minds like us because it helped us against being idle. I’m very happy about it.

9. Deborah Ogunwole, 16 yrs old, SSS 3, St. Annes School, Molete, Ibadan

I always go for coaching as well as helping my parents at home during holidays but last holiday was different because I learnt how to make unisex leather belts  and bracelets but, the materials are expensive. The leather works that I did during the training would be uploaded on the social media so that people can see and make requests. I believe that the knowledge that I acquired would help me in future.

10. Oluwatomilayo Banjo, 15 yrs old, SSS 3, St. Annes School, Molete, Ibadan

My class teacher informed me about the entrepreneurship programme but coincidentally, it started on the day I ended the training on photography. All aspects of it are very interesting; you catch fun and make people laugh.  I see myself having my own photo studio in the future. This serves as an addition to academic knowledge. I give kudos to the organizers.